#literally this (and the leftovers) should be the prime example on how to do a mystery box show

[yieldfruit]

Do you believe in global warming? Personally, I have a hard time believing that us “humans” are going to destroy the earth. I believe God in His timing will do what He will with the earth. With that being said, I do think we should in somewhat take care of what’s being given to us as far as not littering. But as far as eating vegan or electric cars and stuff, I just don’t agree with.

I don't agree with global warming- so much money is going towards ridiculous resources to counteract it. However, I do think we are to steward the Earth we have been given. My gosh nature is gorgeous. I am so grateful God gave us mountains, flowers, water, birds, trees, insects (yes, I love bugs!), and dirt! I love it all. Historically, the world has been hot and the world has been cold. I do think we are wasteful and the chemicals in the air from factories producing fast-fashion and plastic items is unnecessary. Just like how eating fast processed food is bad for us (cancer-causing chemicals found in the food) I also think manmade processed items in excess is unnecessary. We should get back to nature and what is true. We are to care for our animals, but I think it is okay to humanely raise/kill an animal for food as well. Let them live well while alive- roaming, etc. "organic", but kill them humanely and utilize the whole animal as much as you can, using the skin/fur if you can, eating the cooked flesh, etc. I love animals and I was vegetarian for a year. I grew up on a little farm. Death is a part of life and there are ways to let animals be as free as they can be while having a purpose of feeding humans. I am particular about the meat/poultry I eat when possible. These cramped cages and factories of animals break my heart. Let them roam! It's better for humans when we eat meat that came from healthy-in the sun/eating-healthy-feed animals.

Electric cars are a bit of a joke- the batteries are so bad when they are done with and pose a far greater problem for the environment than a non-electric vehicle. I drive a hybrid and it's been great with gas prices being so high and my love of road trips- plus it's just an easy/quiet ride, but I didn't buy it with an environmental agenda in mind. I liked how it looked and felt to drive. It's been very reliable and it never really needs repairs.

What's interesting is how the people who harp on the environment are generally also those who harp on wearing masks over the last 3 years and I don't know a more menacing object right now to our environment/oceans than the discarded masks literally everywhere and on sidewalks, in parking lots, etc. Those strings on the masks are prime for critters getting caught up in.

I do agree with using glass bottles instead of plastic bottles if possible, because it seems wasteful and I am wary of plastic overall because of the chemicals. I generally use glass leftover containers, for example. I gave my daughter toys made from wood when I could, not so much the plastic toys. I've never used non-stick pans. I appreciate a naturalistic approach to living, but I don't buy the global warming propaganda that is just a money making machine for corporations who are probably doing some of the worst for the environment. People call it Earth-friendly and it sells. It's became a buzzword term and companies are thriving financially. People love to be associated with popular things, it makes them feel cool. Some of the products are great, but I would say it's become a buzzword and the company that sells something Earth-friendly may also be selling another product that is anything but.

The true "global warming"? But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10.

[kinetic-elaboration]

June 17: 1x23 The Omega Glory

Watched the very uneven episode “The Omega Glory” today. Upon some reflection.. I think I have seen it? But I think my last rewatch ended abruptly after “By Any Other Name” so it might have been some time ago.

Anyway, it was... something. Decent, I might even say good, until the last 10-15 minutes and then it just went off a cliff? That’s how I’d summarize it.

Sulu, my beloved. I’ve missed you.

Kirk knows where all the ships are. I mean, obviously, but I love to hear it.

Phasers on heavy stun huh?

It’s so weird to be on a different ship. That looks like the same ship. It’s so empty and haunted looking.

With creepy crystal remains of bodies everywhere.

“These white crystals... are the crew.”

Something was thirsty!! Perhaps... a water vampire? Perhaps... a former McCoy girlfriend?

(Honestly having watched the whole ep...they could have expanded this intro longer. It was creepy and mysterious. Then cut the last act.)

Oh no, they’ve been infected and now must quarantine. Sort of. I guess.

...Oh no, is this Vietnam? Again?

“Our old enemy, Vietnam.”

My mother suggested the disease might be communism and I don’t think that metaphor tracks through the whole episode but you know what.. anything’s possible.

I don’t like this whole “you can’t leave the planet or you’ll get sick and die” thing. Too familiar.

"I may never be able to leave this planet but I have a worse problem: a colleague may be breaking a rule."

Says the man who has frequently violated a directive that has never been referred to as Prime before.

Kirk is getting very mumbly. That’s his serious voice.... bu it’s also his Denny Crane voice lol.

Like bio warfare in the 90s? TOS really thought the 90s was going to be the dark ages, didn’t it?

Only 90s kids remember...

Spock bursting in with a wounded man, just bringing the drama, as he does.

He’s not even listening to McCoy. Rude.

Spock absolutely 100% would have killed Captain Tracey on instinct as soon as Kirk is threatened.

Sulu’s in command? I love Captain Sulu but where is Scotty?

Kirk is so good. Clever, strong, smart. Knows all the regulations.

Tracey’s so dumb. “They’ve eradicated disease and live for hundreds of years!” Man, have you considered that they are...aliens? And their life spans are simply.... naturally longer than human life spans? And even if you could isolate the serum, it might not work on humans?

And his master plan is to isolate their immunity and bottle it for profit. It’s our old enemy... capitalism and the exploitation of intellectual property.

A fight scene!

“The pointy-eared one stays.”

Another fight scene!

Spock is watching all of this, and you know what, I feel like he’s not upset about it. It’s just like Pre-Reform Vulcan. Perhaps some... Amok Time flashbacks? “Damn, I wish that was me.”

Peanut gallery Spock.

“I wish you could teach me that.” / “I have tried.” Omg where is my scene of Spock trying to teach Kirk the nerve pinch?

And then that look Kirk gives him.

I don’t get the point of this scene but it amuses me that as soon as McCoy sees the pretty girl, he feels better.

A post-apocalyptic alien world... a very interesting concept. Like you could do a lot with that idea imo.

“That’s our worship word [freedom too.” Umm.... questionable.

Damn bitch, that was cold. Just knocking him out like that.

Damn yankee.

...Yankee and Communist dammit.

McCoy’s not even surprised to see Kirk and Spock out of jail.

Nature created a natural counterbalance to the biological disease. Where is OUR natural counterbalance, I ask?

McCoy sounds extra Southern rn. It’s all the stress.

I really don’t think Shatner gets enough credit for his subtlety. His face when McCoy explains the whole situation...

Oh he's mad now. "You've hurt Spock for nothing! Oh yeah and also killed thousands but MOSTLY THE SPOCK THING!”

Whereas Tracey really doesn’t seem to care about anything but war for its own sake. He knows now that his master plan for immortality was nothing the whole time...but he still needs to call those Yangs.

In other words, another once-reputable figure of authority now gone mad.

Kirk’s voice is so casual when he’s talking to Uhura and Sulu, you feel like he’s gotta have something up his sleeve. He can never hide when he’s really upset about something.

...Apparently what he had up his sleeve was his crew knowing regulations and then another full body tackle. Fight scene 3!

"My need for attention is vital.” Same, Spock.

This is a very attenuated and unbelievable connection Kirk is making but he’s Kirk so I’ll assume it makes sense that he’s putting it all together so fast.

Alternate Universe: Vietnam canon-divergence lol.

For anyone keeping track, this is right about the point where the episode goes off the rails.

YOU’RE A ROMANTIC, JIM. Well he’s right about that at least and he should say it.

Oh no, an American flag.

Cloud William, chief and the son of chiefs. That’s continuity of government for you.

(Also pretty hilarious that this society is supposedly So American with our exact flag and Constitution and everything... but they’re not a democracy.)

I really don’t want to believe that “under God” is still in the pledge 200 years from now.

"You're confusing the stars with heaven." Kirk thinks he's being called an angel.

The absolute mishmash of meaningless, referent-free words here. America. Native Americans. Communists. The flag, the Constitution. God. Angels. Devils. What???

Like how can they both be flag worshippers AND...believers in God? Who is their God? Alien George Washington?

So rude to call Spock Kirk’s “servant.” That’s his space husband!

Is that a literal picture of Spock as a demon in their.. Bible?

I can’t even follow this anymore.

“You command him.” I mean...yes, that’s how the military works.

“He has no heart.” Wow, rude.

“His heart is different!” I stan one (1) Southern Doctor.

I feel like Spock is just... not having this at all. His face loos like he’s thinking what I’m thinking.

Oh no is that the CONSTITUTION??!

“Kill his servant” wow Tracey is obsessed with Spock, isn’t he? I guess everyone in the Fleet knows about them and their special relationship.

Spock is even amused by the knife at his throat. His eyes say "I am distressed--but fascinated!"

A FOURTH fight scene? And here I thought Kirk was going to recite the Constitution.

“I’m open to suggestions.” He’s just as worried about Kirk as McCoy is, bu the doesn’t show it.

...Yep, he’s being telepathic again. Not really in line with his usual telepathy but okay. Alien magic is flexible.

Okay I have a JD and I can confidently say there is nothing about good defeating evil in the Constitution.

And now this alien guy is immediately ready to make himself a “slave.” That seems problematic. What happened to the holy word “Freedom”?

Wow, Kirk's in a bad mood. "You can't pronounce your own holy words worth shit."

“This is only for the eyes of a Chief,” he says and Kirk just pushes him away.

Spock literally turns Tracey around for Kirk’s big final speech like “Listen up, bitch, my boyfriend’s talking.”

Is this the 4th of July episode?? Feels like there should be canons and fireworks going off behind him rn.

Idk, the words of the Constitution can't be so unique and unprecedented if a WHOLE OTHER ALIEN CIVILIZATION just came up with them, too, on their own, like monkeys typing Hamlet. (Given the timelines here... they probably did it first too lol.)

"Liberty and freedom need to be more than just words." Like what does that even mean in this context? Sounds nice but it’s very hard to put into the context of all the rest of this.

“And uh be nice to the Kohms,” after most of them (?) were probably just killed.

I really was into this until the last 10-15 minutes and I think there were under-explored concepts that could have taken the fever dream of whatever that bizarre-o fever dream at the end was. The abandoned ship. The leftovers of bio warfare. The whole weird and under-explained concept of immunity. The tragedy that so much was destroyed,, including but not limited to the whole Exeter crew, for no reason. What happened to Tracey to so destroy him--was it just greed? What about the “Prime” Directive? Is it important or not. They just leave at the end after (as Spock pointed out) doing quite a bit of their own meddling, even though meddling is allegedly the worst. Also, we know almost nothing about the Kohms at all. The “American” society clearly wasn’t democratic. Were the Kohms literally Communist?

I’m willing to accept a certain degree of alternate Earth scenarios--like Miri (though imo that was not a necessary component of that story) or Bread and Circuses, but this was too much. TOO unbelievable. And frankly unnecessary. You could do an allegory for alternate-Vietnam, and it would be just as clear but even more effective. There wouldn’t be any distraction in the form of “what the fuck is that flag doing here?”

There is a potentially incendiary concept here, which is the same one I thought of reading about actual COG plans--certain aspects of the Yanks’ culture survives, but with absolutely no meaning attached. They have a Constitution but they mispronounce all the words. They have this tattered flag but it has no other meaning. They’ve turned the symbols of the government into a religion, but they don’t practice any of the civil aspects of it--they have chiefs, not democratically appointed leaders, for example. Like, COG asks “what IS the country, and how do you make sure the country endures no matter what?” This was an opportunity to show the worst of that: the country continues to exist as symbology only--incredibly strong symbology, but only that--and all of the actual values that were supposed to be stored with that symbology have disappeared. Similarly, their hatred of their enemies endures. It’s lauded in the ep as their attempt to get “their land” back but what if it’s just war for its own sake, as Tracey seems to be engaging in? To tell that story, especially in the 60s, against the backdrop of Vietnam, and with the references to bio warfare and nuclear warfare, could be powerful. And I know TOS can work in metaphor and comparison. It doesn’t need to bring out a literal fucking flag.

Honestly, it was like they had one good, classic, sci fi story but it didn't fill 52 minutes so they tacked on the American Pride 4th of July Propaganda Extravaganza at the end.

It really felt like the lesson was “America good” lol.

I liked the concept of the post apocalyptic society in the aftermath of bio warfare as a cautionary tale for 1960s America, and I'd be up for crazed snake oil salesman Starfleet Captain (or...whatever his rank was) if it were a bit better explained. But the rest of it....

It also... could have been kinda incendiary with the idea that the Constitution and flag are religious symbols... I mean some people do treat them that way and I've always found that, first, blasphemous, and second, bizarre in such a hyper-Christian country. But I feel like instead of digging ito that, they just tempered it with "But also they're Christian, as you can tell by their drawing of devil!Spock, for some reason."

Idk, this story could have been complete with out the whole weird “Vietnam AU” back story or alternately it could have been a biting commentary about what defines America, and about whether or not our symbols might be more enduring--or even more important to people today??--than the laudable but more complex and difficult ideals that underpin the country’s founding. Are the words of the Constitution just gobbledy gook? They are if you don’t live by them, and America has always struggled to do that. It definitely would struggle even more in the aftermath of an apocalypse.

...I’m more annoyed now, thinking about the possible sci fi story that could have been...

Anyway next is an ep I’m fairly sure I haven’t  seen, so that should be fun.

[agarserv]

Adversary | IV

Word Count: 5044

Violet watches the way the scenery past her changes within each gust of the light wind. Those leftover from the storm of the past night carry into today as they brush some of the flooded waters at her boots once more. Leaving the browning leaves to stick to them like glue—even amidst to the annoyance of the blonde herself. As the trio silently make their way back to Clementine’s apartment.

At least in hopes that they’d do it before the sun would set.

“I didn’t think this would take us literally all day.” Sophie groans, biting into a piece of the old candy bar they’d found—primarily from the looted bodies Clementine had stolen from during their first encounter.

Though she’d never tell them it was from there exactly…

“Well, our little nap kinda took most of that out. Climbing and then running from a guy with a rifle will probably be enough to tire us out for hours. Plus the rain doesn’t help.”

“Alright- you have a point.” Sophie shakes her head. “What’s gonna happen to that old guy back up there anyway? Isn’t there a way he could try and kill Aasim and Louis?”

“They’ll be fine.” Clementine assures, her gaze is kept forward and vacant as she watches the way one of the old willow trees barely dips some of its leaves into the flooded waters below. Creating a few ripples every few seconds as it almost gives her a sense of calmness, something the rest of the city—even when it seemed devoid of walkers, never usually did. “He was limping the whole way. I doubt he’ll be able to hop down those roofs like we did. And even if he does, he’ll be worse off than a drowned out walker. “

“That’s...good I think. We’ll just have to warn them about that old skyscraper, right Vi?”

“Yeah.” The blonde nods, stuffing her hands into her old vest pockets. “I just wish they could come along with us, but I don’t want those two idiots to get into more trouble because of us.”

“Listen.” Clementine turns, her tone slightly harsher. “You’re doing the right thing. Questions it isn’t going to do anything but make it worse on yourself.”

Violet purses her lips, almost like she wants to deny that to Clementine or wants to go against her words. But it’d be useless. This random—and slightly murderous, girl could simply just forbid her from coming along. She didn’t need them. And if this was their last chance of getting Minerva back? They were going to take it.

Hopefully it was going to end well.

Sophie glances around, keeping her gaze clear and steady as she remembers Delta. What she’d seen and been through, and what Lilly was like back there. Chances are she was even worse now. With two of her previous right hand men leaving and escaping them, she could only imagine what Minerva was going through back there as well.

Or what was in store for them once they’d arrive. She just knew that she had to trust Clementine’s plan.

Whatever that was…

“So...Clementine…” Sophie begins, digging her nails into her own palm as she begins to immediately regret even thinking of such a question. But the sheer difference between the two girls was enough to come through with it.

The brunette, however, was not as patient.

“Well?” 

“Why do you want to kill Lilly?” She pauses. “I mean- don’t get me wrong. I despise her, but I don’t know if that’s reason enough to go on a near suicide mission for it. You’re free. You can live now. Why would you want to go back there?”

“I can’t let Lilly do- do what she did to us, to happen to anymore people.”

“You just…you don’t seem like the righteous type, Clementine.”

Sophie points out, keeping her stance tall against the turning glare of the amber eyed girl. Wondering what Violet was most likely thinking of this situation herself. “This seems to be more for revenge than anything, but...not for her keeping you there before you escaped.”

The redhead watches as Clementine clenches her fists momentarily. Her arms shaking as the brunette visibly grits her teeth. Turning to face the openness of the rest of the street, which had finally begun to show its dry parts as scattered garbage leaned between the water and the asphalt there. Laying against concrete walls of the reddened rust of the old vehicles many had tried—and failed, to use to escape when the dead first started walking.

Their terror merely turned to anger as far as Sophie saw it, and Clementine was a prime example of that. Her voice low and gravelly momentarily as it chills both girls to their core with each word.

“That’s because it is.”

“What happened?” Violet asks, immediately covering her mouth as she wants to simply slap herself for speaking out without thinking. Squeezing her eyes shut as she expects to be yelled at or maybe even punched.

Hell she deserves it even.

But none of that happens as Clementine looks to them again. And the green eyed girl can notice the look of betrayal and sadness playing across her face. Almost as if it was telling a story itself. Once that soon escaped her lips.

And one that Violet wishes she could unhear.

She killed the only person who mattered to me!” Clementine says, attempting to prevent her voice from breaking as she runs her hands through her hair across the vivid memory. Almost as if she could feel the flames burning at her fingertips and eating away at the edges of the old clothing she once had. The smell of the smoke as it forced its way down her throat, choking her from the inside out and blurring her vision.

But it wasn’t enough

“I was looking for a little boy” Clementine says, shaking her head as she wipes away the physical memories of it. All except the sight she’d remembered. The one that wouldn’t ever escape her mind.

“There was this group attacking the place he was being kept. I-I ran through and did what I had to. But I just...I took too long.” She mumbled, taking a shaky sigh as her eyes move to the old roads as she watches some pebbles fall between the cracks within them. Trying to keep her memory from detaching from reality. “When I found him he-“ she pauses, her eyes glossing over again as she forces her tears to stop in their tracks. Her face turning into the angered force of nature Violet was already quite fearful of. “He was gone.”

The two girls are silent as Clementine waits for their reactions. Watching their looks of pity and sorrow just as she expected. The way her heart burns similarly to how McCarroll did and the way her anger only builds gets her feet moving on the way back to her apartment. Throwing a brick far and fast at a nearby wrecked van, watching as the object breaks into pieces after the long sound of metal denting rings in her ears. Leaving the girls slightly behind as she isn’t able to hear their ongoing conversation.

She doesn’t want to.

“Okay so you know how I hated Lilly before?” Violet asks, her gaze set and glued on the brunette ahead. “Yeah fuck her. Hated her before and I didn’t think it’d get worse but now she killed a three year old.”

“I’m horrified, but not surprised.”

“She do anything like that to you over at Delta before you left?” Violet asks again, wary of such a topic after Clementine’s outburst as she feels a pang in her chest. Neither of them had exactly gone through and talked about it. Only keeping their eyes ahead and what was coming up next for them after everything that's happened.

Sophie pauses, looking down at her friend as she visibly bites her lip. Obvious to the fact that she’s holding something back, the blonde just couldn’t tell what it was. “Let’s just keep going.” 

“Sure. Whatever you say.”

The trio slowly make their way back among the silence around them. Knowing it was something almost too familiar to everyone who was left alive her. Simply left to look and listen to the world around them for dangers or something else that might have caught their eye.

For the two girls behind her, Clementine noted that silence alone was enough to arouse some sort of questioning. Especially from the green eyed girl once more.

“So...how come there haven’t been many walkers here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like...I always heard cities were full of them, and now there’s like none.”

“Well.” Clementine says, pointing to a nearby deep body of water that’d hovered over a pothole. “Some fell down there, some are stuck up in the buildings around us. Others are drowned out by the flooding or the collapsing buildings...or, they just died out and now are out and after the people who escaped the city to begin with. There’s still a lot of course, but you just haven’t seen them yet I suppose.”

“Should I have been seeing them?”

“There were a few dead ones up the climb to that skyscraper. Some were beneath the deeper water. All slightly hidden...unless you really know what you’re looking for.”

Violet bites her lip hard. She’s been living in this word for eight years, she knew she should be better at this! There could be some random walker waiting to pull her into the murky and mossy waters and she wouldn’t even see it to get some sort of warning beforehand.

“Don’t worry about it, Vi.” Sophie smiles, patting her friend’s back. “You’ve never really been in a city. You’re only used to finding them out in the forests and not the buildings.”

“It should be easier.”

“But it isn’t, because you’re not used to it. But you’ll get to it at some point. Clementine must’ve, considering she’s probably been all over the place with Delta.” 

That sparks a look from the brunette as she stares at the two blankly. Not exactly answering their question, but they’d already known the answer to it anyway.

The two slowly back off, knowing it’s probably best if she doesn’t listen in just in fads they fade back into their previous conversation.

Which is exactly what they were doing.

“She said that kid died before Delta took her.” Violet points out. A frown reappearing across her face as she glances back down to her boots. “What do you think happened?”

“I dunno. And I don’t think I do want to know. Not yet at least. Whatever it was that kept her at Delta? It couldn’t have been good.”

“No...not at all.” Violet shakes her head, watching as Clementine slowly keeps her gaze on the world around her. Doing anything in her power to avoid making eye contact with the others. Instead finally speaking up as the old apartment finally came into view.

“We’re here. I take it you two are gonna want to let your friends know about...everything. But right after? We’ve gotta set off. So say your goodbyes now and get what you need before we head off.”

The two girls look on somberly as they make their way up. Their stomachs reacting even having to say such a conversation as Clementine merely waits outside. Listening to the breeze flow by the buildings and echo outwards before hearing a mumble of voices above. Knowing how that conversation was most likely going. And how the pit in her stomach is telling her how sad and pitiful it was for them to have to say goodbye to their friends for now...forever possibly. Something she didn’t want to tell them. And something she wouldn’t say if they truly wanted to get their friend back.

She just had to make sure Minerva wouldn’t see her as well. That would surely blow things to shit.

And how she’d probably have to give them some time.

The brunette makes her way over towards one of the overturned cars. Noting the way the rustic metal beneath it was now visible as it barely is able to reflect some of the little light that was flooding within the city in its blanket of warmth. The way the small specks of the clean metal still untouched by the apocalypse shined right back at her in her own reflection.

She watches the dirtied parts of her face. The dirt and muck and the blood that’d all faded into her previously vibrant skin. Now slightly sunken and thinned out. Her eyes still remain in the previous brightness she once had years back. But she knew that it would fade too. Wondering when the clock would stop ticking around them and they’d turn into the soulless and lifeless auras the walkers held within.

Her attention is drawn away from the slightly lively reflection within the pipe as she hears a cry up above. Almost enough to draw her heart into a race before she realizes what it’s from. And why it’s occurring.

“Shit.” She mumbles, shaking her head quickly as she squeezes her eyes tightly. Walking further away from the old apartment to give them some peace and privacy. Finally finding a place on an old and separated car seat before she reaches into her ripped pockets. Pulling out the old pack of cigarettes she’d taken from the hunter yesterday. Watching the small logo that shined in what little light was left of the day. Enough to bring her to slightly shake her head as she pulls one of the cigarettes out. Glancing between it momentarily as she mutters something until her breath.

“Fuck you Bonnie.” The brunette whispers. As humorous as she’d found it originally, the woman did introduce her to cigarettes to begin with. And while they “helped”,  she certainly found herself dependent on them every once in a while. Luckily not enough to need them every waking second like some others would, but certainly so she’d keep a pack whenever she found them.

There’s a small and flickering array of orange, yellow, and a slight blue as Clementine uses her lighter. Pulling the cigarette to it as it casts a tiny glow at her dirtied fingertips. Moving across her face as she brings it to her lips with a sigh while the night seems to fall upon the rest of the city. What once would be a cascade of lights and life within the city was now a signal of death, destruction, and the ultimate demise over the failure of those who tried to keep it all upstanding. Leaving others to militarize themselves either in groups or on their lonesome in the fight against both the dead, and the other humans remaining.

With each puff of light smoke Clementine reminisces about the old times. Those she had with people who cared about her. And people she cared about too. Those who always swore to protect her.

And those who failed. Those who left like the rest of them.

This would be nothing new to her. All she had to do was kill Lilly. These girls will go off with Minerva and be back together like their own family. Without a care from the brunette if they’d last or not. 

And she’d...keep moving forward. Like always.

If she makes it out of there alive.

With a last puff towards that though, Clementine flicks the cigarette down and into a nearby puddle. Watching the ways the last flicker of the lit cigarette fixed into the ground before it’s crushed beneath her boot with a quick movement. Her boot moving side to side momentarily before she looks up and towards the old apartment. Watching and listening for anything else to come out from them.

And it was silent.

Her hands move to her pockets as she walks up towards the beginning of the small climb to her home. Pools of amber catch the two girls hauling their bags over their shoulders as they join in for one last hug with the other two, enough to see Clementine herself as they all come up to her.

Well, shit.

She almost wishes she still had that cigarette now as she watches the two boys—Louis and Aasim, walk up to her. Their faces forlorn and nervous, even if they were slightly grateful they wouldn’t exactly have to come along after all.

“We just...we wanted to thank you for saving us and helping us get Minerva back-“ the freckled one says, and Clementine immediately puts a hand up to stop him. Shaking her head quickly.

“I’m not helping. I’m delivering them if anything. Whatever happens there? It’s not up to me and I’m not going to be doing anything to help. I just need my revenge.”

She watches as the boy’s eyes almost look to her in fear. Giving a sheepish smile as he quickly shoved the other—equally nervous, friend up. And Clementine can make quite the assumption of who it was, practically the one who’d given her the bandage on her head.

Guess it was more like a bandana now.

“I-I Uh...just wanted to apologize about the um-“

“The bat? The one you hit my head with for no reason? The only you could’ve killed me with?”

He merely scratches his neck, looking fearfully towards the floor momentarily as Clementine waits nonchalantly for some sort of answer. 

“Yeah...that.”

“Well.” She hums, tapping the bat in her palm before offering it forward. “Might as well keep it, seeing as you���re good with it.”

“Wh- are you sure? I-“

“Positive. Take it, because the rest of us have got to go.”

“Oh...right.” He nods, holding the item in his hands as Clementine watches them give each other one last hug. Whispering something about luck and coming back home to them. 

And promises. Which was almost funny to her. How easily they probably would wind up broken.

“You guys ready?” Clementine Asia, taking a last look over to her apartment as the group is still wiping at lone tears or sniffling. Enough to almost warrant her to feel annoyed by it, but she didn’t feel anything at all. It didn’t seem to matter much to her right now.

“Yeah...yeah we better go before we change our minds.” Sophie nods, giving a short wave over to her friends as they stay within the small apartment. Obviously seeming skeptical and worried, but it was their only hope for another friend to return. They knew how important it truly was.

“Bring her back.” The freckled teen says again. A confident nod being given towards the girls as Clementine’s two companions nod in agreement. Looking determined as they finally head off, in the opposite direction they came. With the night fallen in the darkness upon them as the events from the past night come over them. Almost too much as they realize how little time had truly passed. But they didn’t have long to begin with. And if Clementine was correct, this was their only hope.

They just didn’t know if the risk was worth taking, but it would be too late to reconsider now.

Clementine keeps a careful eye out on their surroundings. Her vision wading through the thick darkness of night as it only left for small grazes of grey to be left on the sides of buildings, reflecting down towards the flooded waters nearby as it became their main source of light. At least, that’s all Clementine planned on using until there’s a sharp glow of white from behind her, as the blonde carries a flashlight in her hand. 

“Hey! Watch the eyes.” Clementine warns as soon as she shines it at her face, blinking a few times to get the burnt image out of her eyes as she looks back ahead. Not even bothering to turn around this time.

“Sorry, sorry. Wanted to make sure it works.”

“Oh it does.” Clementine whispers. “Just check it on your arm or at your feet next time, not the back or front of my head!”

Violet pouts, even more so as Sophie gives her a sight elbow to the side over something that probably should’ve been obvious. Well can something she definitely should’ve known better about. 

Too late now. 

Clementine watches the area around the light given by Violet’s flashlight. Knowing she’d have to be on lookout for those that they wouldn’t catch. While she could possibly rely on them, it wasn’t at all a given, or something as guaranteed as what she’d see with her own eyes. Wading from the darkened and murky waters where walkers would lie beneath, to the way the light would reflect off the metallic remains of the buildings. Those that weren’t covered in nature, at least.

She listens to the crunching of the soaking wet leaves beneath her boots. Listening to the way the silence around her seems to grow. Not a bug or anything else in earshot. All but the boots of the trio and the rustling of their old and worn clothes together highlighting the seeming loneliness the city had held within it now. Gone we’re the bright lights available to see even from the tops of space, and back down was the despair that could come crashing down onto any of them once more.

Clementine was all too familiar with it, in retrospect.

The silence is broken only by the whispering of the two girls behind her. Enough for Clementine to hear and listen in to, but she blocks it out. Focusing all her senses on the area ahead, as she doesn’t know exactly what to expect.

“You doing okay, Vi?”

“Yeah...I know we both miss them. We’ll see them soon. With Minerva too.”

“Yeah. We sure will. I just ...I promise to keep you safe. Even when I couldn’t bring Minnie back, I knew she’d want me to protect you. So I’m keeping that promise to her….to the old Minnie, at least.”

“Hey.” Violet’s voice softly resounds above the rustling of leaves beneath their feet. “You have been. As best you can. Only when you needed too as well. And we’ll get the old Minnie back.”

And if we can’t?”

“Then we’ll force this new Minnie to come home with us. Or else.”

“Violet she’s taller than me and like a foot taller than you.”

“I have my ways. Just wait.”

“I just hope you won’t have to use them.”

“Yeah...me neither…”

The conversation slowly drifts away as both girls bring their eyes to the world around them. Shivering amidst a cold gust of wind that almost wills them to simply go back. The cold trickling up their arms across the bumps forming on their skin, becoming teeth-chatteringly chilled within each passing second before they step into another pool of ankle-height water.

Which was even colder.

“Jesus Christ!” Violet yelps, hopping slightly as she immediately feels the freezing drops of water hit at the rest of her from the harsh movement. The sound getting the attention of the other two as they stare, waiting for her to be done with her shenanigans. “I didn’t think it’d be this cold.”

“That’s kinda what happens when water sits in the dark, especially after the storm we had yesterday.”

“I know that. But still. It shouldn’t be this could.”

“It’ll get warmer as we head up through the pipe through the emptied sewers. It might sound disgusting, but all the water got flooded with the other kind, so don’t make a fuss about it.” Clementine tells them, pointing to the grated entrance through a large pipe. Where the inside--even with a flashlight, is practically pitch black. 

“Head up through there?! Really?!” Violet asks, watching the skeptical look from Sophie over it as well. 

“Unless you’d rather stay out here, be my guest. We’re already far off from where the apartment is. So there isn’t any turning back.”

Violet pouts again, looking warily into the old pipe as she lets out a sigh. Knowing she was either going to regret this, or wouldn’t make it out to even do so.

“Fuck it.”

Violet feels herself go stiff as they begin their walk into the dark unknown. Listening to the echoey drops of water that’d make their way down to the small amount of water within the ground. Her vision slowly becoming apt enough to see the cracked and smashed walls, those that led to openings filled with dust and small crumblings of concrete and whatever other material it’d been made of.

There’s a silence as they listen to the echoes through the deep pipe. Watching the small stairways nearby that led to further openings and paths. All of which Clementine avoided, not even moving to search.

“You sure you know where we’re going? This place gives me the creeps.” Sophie asks, knowing it was probably exactly what violet had been thinking of to begin with.

“Yep.”

Sophie blinks momentarily at her simple and short answer. “Oh...ok…”

“So uh- what’s the plan?” Violet asks, hoping to change from the awkward situation. 

“The plan?”

“You know...like. What we’re doing in here or whatever you’re wanting us to do once we reach that drop off point.”

“You mean pickup?”

“Yeah- for the recruits or whateverthefuck.”

“You’ll see. If I tell you now it might screw everything up.”

“How?” Violet asks, slightly louder than before as her voice shoots through the rest of the pipe and sewer. Getting lower and lower in tone as the other two glare back at her. 

“Like that.” Clementine says, almost in a monotone voice as she doesn’t continue moving. Her hand moving towards the holster as Violet’s eyes widen. Seeing the old and slightly chipped and stained machete the brunette pulls out.

Well she’d certainly not expected that.

“Whoa wait it was an accident, no need to uh ...do that…” Violet chuckles, watching the eye roll of the brunette as she turns again. 

“Not you, dumbass.” Sophie warns, her hand etching towards her own weapon—her revolver, as Clementine whispers something.

“Hear that?”

Violet listens only, hearing an almost pained groan from deep within the tunnel. Knowing exactly what it must’ve been. 

“Walker?”

“Not just one.” Clementine says, listening to the higher pitched scream from down ahead. Sounding more like a human than anything, but they knew better. “Not a lot of space in here, either.”

“Shit...this could be bad…” Sophie mumbles, her hand tightening over her own gear as she watches Violet get prepared as well.

“We have to keep moving, come on.” Clementine warms, walking slower and more intricately as the girls keep up a similar pace. Their flashlight gazing ahead to show them the sight of whatever they might be missing. Enough for their hearts to pound and for them to will their senses to work in overdrive. Teeth gritting and gaze shifting in the quiet as they’re wary of the noises becoming louder, closer.

“Looks like there used to be a camp here.” Violet notes, getting the girls’ attention as they eye the emptied supplies and mattresses nearby. Shelved in torn backpacks near both new and dried pools of blood.

Violet’s heart pounds as she sees it. The flashlight glinting off the fresh crimson. It hammers in her chest as she sees another mark. As if someone had been dragged as hand and body marks are stained in the same red. 

But there was no body...not yet at least.

Her eyes almost stay glued to the blood before her flashlight flickers, sending her heart into another palpitation as she quickly hits it against her palm. Shaking the torch to get the batteries to stop malfunctioning.

Thankfully, it works.

The blonde brings the flashlight back forward to ahead of them, unskewed by her companions as she realizes what’s only a few feet in front of her. Her green eyes widening as she subdues any sound from coming from her throat.

There’s a walker up ahead. Faced away from her and towards the bloodied ground it’s still dripping upon slowly. Its ribs torn and open as they’re spread out of its body, as if it were some sort of bug eating plant that was just waiting to crush its prey between them. As if it was a hug of death from something already dead.

Its jaw was unhinged. Gawking open towards them with so many wounds in the newly turned walker Violet could hardly count. It’s fingers broken and bending backwards as they exposed the bone through them. Sticking out like jagged rocks as the walker finally turned fully towards her. It’s pale eyes gazing right at her in realization, especially as it simply stood there.

It wasn’t until now did Violet see the rest of its chest has been gashed open. Somehow keeping whatever was inside stuck there as she could see everything. But none of it was moving nor functioning. Only rotting and decaying as they girls were completely quiet for the few lingering seconds they’d each seen it. 

That is, until Clementine stabs her machete through the upside of its neck, splitting it easily as violet sees that perhaps it wasn’t that dull after all. Watching and listening as the frail bones bunch and shatter as the machete still moved up with the brunette’s swift movement from its chin. Finally ending right in the middle of its nose before she retracts it. Letting it fall face down as the split skin slides off to the sides. Decaying even further than it had originally.

They watch as Clementine’s face comes into view of the flashlight. Hues of white scattering across her skin as the walker blood is freshly splattered across it. Soon to join the old human stains of it. But her gaze doesn’t change from the almost furious expression she has as she turns around. Gazing forward as more noises escape down the tunnel.

“Sophie, how many bullets do you have in your revolver?” She asks, face still staring forward and away from them as her gaze darkens like the rest of what lied ahead.

“Four.”

“Good. Just continue keeping count. That number might lower in just a second.”

[skaylanphear]

I didn't realize you were so critical of Voltron's writing. Is there anything you think the writers did really well?

Not… really? 

The one episode that sticks out to me as having been well-written was an episode in season 3–the one where Keith is leading them into that planet and all their tech gets screwed to hell. It works on a lot of levels because it introduces Lotor as a scary villain, establishes Allura as inexperienced while giving her the chance to learn, and shows Keith learning a lesson while Lance gets to stretch his legs as an actual competent member of the team. What I loved about it though was the lesson Keith learned onscreen and how he learned it–we got to see actual development as well as him opening up to another member of the team other than Shiro. It’s one of the best episodes in the series and really goes to show what Voltron could have been if the writers actually knew what they were doing. I assume, at this point, that the episode was merely a happy accident. 

Now that isn’t to say Voltron doesn’t have memorable moments for other reasons–the scene where Keith and Shiro fight was wonderfully animated and probably the most beautiful looking scene in the whole series, but that doesn’t mean how we got there was as good by comparison. 

One of Voltron’s biggest problems (among other glaring issues) is that it relies heavily on concepts, but pretty much fails to expand those concepts into actual narrative development. We’re told via Hunk’s one episode in the Galra empire that he’s become quite the diplomat, but we never see that in action or see him struggling with that arc at any other point in the series. We’re told Lance has become a great member of the team by seeing his sword form during training, but we rarely get to see those skills in action. And yeah, Lance takes up giving commands when Keith and Shiro are busy, but it’s never highlighted. He’s never given his moment to truly prove himself to the audience. Which makes it all little different than telling the audience that development is happening offscreen, which you should NEVER do. Which brings me to Keith. Not only was Keith’s path through “development” poorly concocted, but we didn’t even get to see it. Why was he such a great leader after having spent time with his mother? What did that do for him? Fans can speculate all they want, but at the end of the day, Keith is one character when he left and another when he comes back, and WE DIDN’T SEE IT HAPPEN! 

This leaves me with one of two conclusions: Either the writers were too lazy to put any effort into telling a proper character arc OR they simply don’t know how. And seeing how poorly every other character in the series is handled, I’d bet on the latter. The Voltron writers don’t know how to do their jobs on the most basic level. Even Shiro, the second-shining child of the series after Keith, doesn’t get any development. He’s got PTSD, sure, but he’s literally the exact same character he was in the beginning as he is now, much like the rest the cast. What would have made Shiro’s character really great would maybe be some regret on his end, or some self-doubt following his PTSD issues, or maybe a loss of confidence he had to overcome or literally ANYTHING! Instead he’s relegated to a plot device. 

Which brings me to another glaring issues with Voltron alongside the character development–they’re taking what should be a character-driven narrative and pretending it’s a plot-driven narrative. 

You want to know why Voltron was so promising from the start? Because it had a perfect premise for character building. It was like Avatar the Last Airbender but in space. You had a big baddy in the distance that the characters had to work their own skills up to in order to face. It gave the characters time to explore both themselves and the world around them, while still retaining a goal that implemented a sense of urgency. Which is why the originally episodic storytelling of Voltron in the first season worked so well and why the series seemed so promising. Each episode had a different character or couple of characters that had a problem they needed to overcome before the resolution of the episode, or a couple of episode as they sometimes did them in twos. This is a good format for storytelling with a big cast because it gives each character the turn they deserve, while still giving time for things like comedic relief and problem solving/conversations between characters, which is the FOOD of character development. Being able to have two character sit down and simply chat is the main course of character development and interpersonal relationships, hence Shiro and Pidge’s relationship was so precious in the first season, and why people latched onto Keith and Lance so hard, because they were constantly snarking at one another. 

The problem comes with season 3, where the writers tried to change Voltron from an episodic format into a serial format while trying to retain the same tone. Serial storytelling has an overarching pot that the characters work toward the whole season–like all of a season is a single episode. Yes, Voltron already had an overarching plot, but it was secondary to the character story-telling. That was, until season three, when the writers decided that they wanted the story to be “epic all the time” instead of sticking to what was originally good. 

Avatar the Last Airbender isn’t good because it’s epic all the time. It’s good because it’s well-balanced. Because the characters got the time to build themselves up so that when those epic moments finally happened, the audience actually cared. Voltron decided that they wanted to be edgy and took all of that away from us to make the show serial and focus more entirely on the end plot instead of each individual character’s struggles. They tried to retain a bit of this, but in contrast with the more serial episodes, it feels like whiplash. This is why season 3′s tone is so vastly different from season 1 and 2, and why so many people were so shocked. And why it feels so fast. 

But the problem is that the writers clearly want to write an episodic show, they just don’t realize they do, which is why we’re getting TOLD character development instead of shown in favor of over the top battles and other “intense” mumbo jumbo that falls flat when anyone takes a moment to sit and think about what they’re watching. 

This is why I got so infuriated when all those new characters were introduced in season 7–we don’t even know the characters we got originally and now I’m expected to care about these new ones? No, absolutely not. And this is also why I get angry every time we get a “filler” episode. Avatar had filler episodes, but Avatar was also episodic and used that filler to develop the characters, with the exception of Tales of Ba Sing Se, which was amazingly done for other reasons entirely. 

Voltron made itself serial, which means we don’t have time for filler. It’s jarring and takes the viewer out of the experience. I don’t care about a stupid gameshow episode because the writers have made it overly clear that the situation is dire and serious and now I feel like I’ve been slapped. Especially when that filler does nothing for the characters. It’s a waste when they could have been using the time for something more worthwhile. Instead, they just wanted a Q episode, or a D&D episode, as if their storytelling had been good enough prior to earn them that wasted time. 

Which brings me to yet another glaring issue that Voltron has–pacing. Not only did the change in storytelling alter the pacing in a way that was jarring for everyone, but they can’t keep up with the pace they decided to set, nor do they know how to keep tension going in the story so as to take advantage of that faster pace they forced on themsleves. Pidge, Lotor, and Zarkon are prime examples of characters whose arcs were slaughtered by this incompetence. Why was Pidge’s search for her brother concluded at the beginning of a season in a standalone episode that is so far outside the serialized plot? Well I can tell you why–because they didn’t know how to integrate it properly with the rest of the story. Which is why it feels like filler. Like fan service. Why it’s so out of the blue. Why is Zarkon’s death so lackluster? Because we’d been told that Zarkon was the big baddy the whole time and then they ended his reign in the middle of a season. Not only do we see Zarkon suddenly in the daylight outside his scary space darkness, but his entrance is lame and lacking impact. And then Lotor, a newer character by contrast, is the one to take him out. Suddenly, the show is without the big baddy that had been pushing it from the beginning, which is glaringly obvious in how disorganized the plot becomes after his death and Lotor’s subsequent defeat. Sorry, but by default of the role she had previously, Haggar is not as scary as Zarkon was, nor is Sendak. It’s like we’re supposed to now watch Voltron clean up the leftovers instead of fight a war, which is fucking stupid. And don’t even get me started on Lotor’s arc. They wanted to make him seem like Zuko and then pull an Azula? Well, sorry hons, but your storytelling capabilities aren’t strong enough to accomplish either. 

Lotor was not made sympathetic or psychotic enough to pull off either act, which just makes him fall rather flat. The most interesting thing about him was his relationship with Allura, which was only interesting because we hadn’t gotten any romance yet in the show so everyone was super paying attention to how it’d unfold. 

This pacing issue is continuous from season 3 onward. The story regularly takes detours it shouldn’t and focuses on things we don’t care about and interjects important plot-points at the wrong time while completely leaving out others. Like Haggar coming back in season 7. If we’d actually seen a bit of what she was up to, the addition of the last robot to the final fight might have been a little less stupid, but we didn’t see that, so it’s still just regular stupid. 

So the characters in Voltron suck, the plot sucks, and the pacing sucks. The only thing that’s saving Voltron is the fact that it looks nice and that the fandom is happy to take concepts and run with them in fan works. There’s a reason the fandom is so happy to explain away everything in the series, because expanding the series for themselves is the only option they have. Voltron itself doesn’t do it on but rare occasions, and if the fan creators didn’t give the characters depth, no one would. Every piece of “character” we get in Voltron is a concept, not actual storytelling. They set up what could be something amazing and then dash it at the last moment by completely ruining everything. People say Voltron never ceases to surprise them, but this isn’t because they’re great storytellers, it’s because of the exact opposite. Voltron rarely follows through with minor plot points set up previously, instead settling to just tell you about them later in favor of laser battles. Lance is insecure? Just give him a sword, he’s fine. Hunk has no development? Give him a short, five minute moment about his family–a family he talked about one other time and a plot point that should have rightfully gone to Lance. Pidge’s “arc” is over? Just have her say a whole bunch of nonsense in the next scene. Need someone to do something cool? Better get Keith since that’s all he’s good for anymore due to his character being so inconsistent. Need some of that quality angst? Throw in Shiro too, because god forbid Keith relate to any of the other characters on a personal level and actually break out of the isolated existence that caused all his character problems in the first place. Oh, and don’t forget Allura, whose overpowered abilities have become such an expected norm and so unexplainable at this point that she’s nothing more than a bore-fest to watch. 

Voltron had everything going for it–it could have been great, on par with Avatar the Last Airbender by sheer default of how the original premise was set up and how interesting the characters were to start with. And then the writers screwed it up because they didn’t know how to properly tell the story they’d set up in the first place. 

This is why people who don’t watch Voltron or who don’t see anything special about it don’t understand why it’s such a big deal (and why comparing it to Avatar the Last Airbender is such an insult). Why it’s plain toast in comparison to other, better shows. Because anyone who actually takes a step back and looks at the show with more thought than “oh I like this character because of what they could have been,” they’d realize just how badly concocted Voltron is. 

I know. I was once one of these people that had faith in the concepts that I eventually realized would never come to fruition. I was happy to ignore the faults in the show because I kept hoping it would get better. But then it never did and all that was left were the faults. 

Voltron is not a good show. Like, it’s just literally not well done. The visuals are nice, which is part of the reason it’s gotten so popular. But even if the art is nice, at the end of the day, the writing has been and always will be the heart and soul of any narrative, and if that’s a pile of trash, the entire show will end up that way. 

[nerdy-flower]

@sinunamor here it is! This is part 1 of a 3-part headcanon I’ve had for a while, I really hope you like it! Sorry it took forever ;^;

Hugo knows change has come to roost when Ernest's dinnertime debriefs turn from reluctant, barely-there details to soap-opera recaps with all the accompanying comedy and tragedy.

“-and I didn't even know this, but Mackenzie told me later, that they were dating before he even dumped Emily, which is like- come <i>on,</i> dude. Did you look at all your options and pick the douchiest possible one?”

“That is very selfish,” Hugo says, frowning around a mouthful of chicken. “I always thought Pat was a nice young man.”

“So did I!” Ernest snorts, stabbing at his rice and sending some spilling over the side. “He's literally the only reason I've been hanging out with the theatre kids. The rest of them are so-”

Damien cuts in as Ernest briefly flails, searching for a word. “Dramatic?”

“Weak,” Ernest pulls a face, seemingly physically pained by the quality of the dad-joke, while Damien appears rather pleased with himself, chuckling into his hand. “Anyway, so Mackenzie said that Pat told her he was just going to keep it on the downlow, basically, until summer because Emily's moving, right? It won't be as awkward then. Except I guess they kind of forgot that their Insta accounts aren't private? So now everyone knows, and Emily has to stage manage her ex-boyfriend while he has a romantic subplot with her former rugby teammate. Because that's not going to go terribly at all.”

“Good heavens,” Damien replies after a moment, dabbing his lips with a cloth napkin. “I don't recall any tales so tangled from my youth, but then, perhaps I've repressed all that nonsense.”

“Didn't they get voted 'cutest couple' in the yearbook?” Hugo cringes as Ernest enthusiastically nods, kindly not answering with his mouth full. “Oh god, and that just went to the printers- No wonder Ms. Lee had aspirin with her lunch today.”

“Yeah, it's all like ten levels of stupid,” Ernest grumbles, not even distracted by Duchess' damp nose nudging at his lap. “I swear, I'm gonna have like no friends by graduation because I can't deal with everybody acting like they've found their soulmate and then dumping them in two weeks. No one our age is gonna get married until our thirties, anyway, shit's expensive.”

“Language,” Hugo chimes in, met with the usual roll of the eyes and offended huff.

“One's youth can be rather fraught and strained,” Damien adds with a knowing grimace, their cutlery clinking audibly against their plates in the quiet coziness of Hugo's dining room. “But you'll find people who don't engage with those sorts of theatrics. And besides, those who do will soon grow out of it.”

“Yeah right, I've heard that one before,” Ernest scoffs, returning to his food. He's quiet for the rest of the meal, and their walk through the park at dusk, Duchess and her boy running ahead. Damien's fingers find Hugo's after sending a quick check-in text to Lucien, and he feels a tentative kind of bliss run through him in the warmth of the setting sun.

***

Hugo's deep-down, etched-on-his-bones love for his job keeps him motivated through all the obnoxious students, righteously indignant parents, and illogical funding cuts, but he does keep a small, hate-fuelled torch burning for outdoor supervision. It's especially hard not to envision his student loan payments going up in smoke while breaking up fights, confiscating cigarettes, or discovering another hopelessly unoriginal piece of lewd graffiti.

Today has been blissfully quiet, if blanketed by damp warmth. He wipes sweat from his brow as he continues his circle around the middle school building. A new fast food joint had recently opened down the street and the promise of buy-one-get-one fries had draw most of the troublemakers away. With the bell approaching, he turns to head in and spots a familiar orange hoodie near the emergency exit ramp behind the library and sighs. No one is ever up to anything good behind the library.

He's still a good thirty feet away, obscured by the parked rustbucket cars in the student lot when he glimpses a shock of pink hair attached to one of his Comp Lit students from Ernest's grade. Tahereh is her name and she's giggling, along with his son, and leaning in awfully close- Nope.

Nope, nope, nope. He turns on his heel and walks away as quickly and quietly as he can. His son deserves privacy, and he had mentioned being paired on a geography project with that girl-

Hugo blows out a sigh, purposefully forgetting the follies of his own adolescence before he gets himself worked up over nothing.

***

A lengthy text conversation with Nick is an unusual relief. He would have preferred to do it by phone, but the man is in England of all places on a work trip. Besides, it's a little more private should Ernest come strolling in.

HV: You're sure you're okay with me taking the helm on this one?

NH: Oh yeah, I'm not worried. You're better at this kinda stuff than I am.

NH: I'll be home in a couple days so I can run recon if things go south lol

Hugo does manage to chuckle at that. Nick instructs him to break a leg and says he's turning in but to text if need be. A lengthy message pops in from Damien, having been Hugo's confidante the previous day, reminding him that his own similar chat with Lucien a few years prior was awkward at the time, but went a long way in maintaining good communication. As well as reassurance that Hugo is a wonderful father with no reason to doubt himself, and this is another prime example of it.

The usual expressions of affection at the close never fail to make Hugo smile. He types a slightly longer than necessary reply and pushes his glasses up. With a silent pep talk, he heads upstairs. It's not like he's going in blind. They've had plenty of very open talks since Ernest was small. About bodies and boundaries and babies. This topic isn't inherently uncomfortable, it's on him to shake that mindset.

Ernest's room is in its usual disarray, but he beckons him in quickly and takes his earbuds out. Flat on his back with his tablet held overhead. As good a start as any.

He assumes the best non-threatening parental figure pose, sitting on the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees. Ernest is way too clever to fall for the small-talk nonsense so he skips to the point. “I hope you're not upset by this, but I saw you and Tahereh behind the school last-”

“What the hell?” Ernest bites back, anger narrowing his eyes as he drops his tablet and sits up fully. “You're spying on me now?”

“Of course not!” Hugo answers, quick and even with hands held up. “I was on yard duty, I turned right around. The only reason I'm bringing it up is-”

“She's not my girlfriend,” Ernest spits back, blushing and running hot. He draws his knees up and hugs them, a habit leftover from his toddling years. “We just kissed because we're cool like that. It was whatever. Don't make a big deal out of it.”

“I'm not, I promise,” Hugo says, confused and not entirely convinced but trying not to let on. “But say you did find someone you liked and wanted to start dating them, your Pop and I wouldn't be opposed at all. I only wanted to check in with you about er, safety and-”

“Oh my god,” Ernest covers his face, dragging the last word out into a strangled note of exasperation. “I've had sex ed like five times already, I don't need this. Please just shut up.”

Hugo decides admonishing him via their no 'shut up' rule would only make things worse. “I know you have all the basics covered. I just need you to know that you can always come to me or Pop for anything, okay? Don't ever feel embarrassed.” He reaches into his shirt pocket, takes a deep breath, and removes the small cardboard container, pushing it across the comforter towards his son. “And if you need these at any point, don't-”

“Oh my god, no,” Ernest's scowl deepens, the blush creeping down his neck as he explodes in frustration. “No, no, <i>no</i>! I'm never gonna need those, so just get the hell out of here!”

Hugo feels the wrinkles crease on his face as he struggles to say the right thing. Had the divorce put him off the idea of relationships entirely? God, he's too young to be thinking that way, isn't he? “I just want you to have these in case, you know, you meet someone and you want-”

“I don't 'want,' I never have and I'm never going to!” Ernest throws his hands up, eyes still flashing. “I'm a fucking freak, are you happy now? Get <i>out!</i>”

Hugo does not, merely stills as Ernest mashes his face into his knees, actually vibrating from anger, sadness, or both. It nearly does him in, there's nothing that hurts him more than seeing his son in pain. Thankfully, he had said just enough for the puzzle pieces to snap together in Hugo's head.

When the boy's breathing evens out, Hugo dares to inch closer, the mattress sagging with his weight. “Ernest, you're not a freak. There's lots of asexual people in the world and-”

“Name one.” The snappish tone is muffled by denim and knobby knees.

“Well, I mean, I don't know any personally,” Hugo says, rubbing the back of his neck. “But they do exist, they're not unicorns.”

“Unicorns don't exist? This entire day sucks.” They both laugh hesitantly at that, a sigh resounding from under the orange hoodie. “Mrs. Finn said in health that people who say they're asexual are just dealing with like, trauma or whatever. We're all driven to make more people, so it makes no sense scientifically.”

Hugo silently counts to three in his head. “Have you ever been hurt?”

That finally picks his head up, glaring at his father again. “No!”

“Then clearly that's not true. Ca- Mrs. Finn is sadly misinformed.” And would be told as much, without directly mentioning Ernest. Seniority be damned, he was going to have words with the Board that's what it takes. He manages a small smile for Ernest. “If sex is only about reproduction, how do you account for gay people?”

“Gay people can still like- do what's necessary to make a kid.” Ernest waves a hand towards himself. “C'est voila, or whatever.”

Hugo snort-laughs at that, he does admire his son's wit even in serious moments. “Well, so can ace people. There's lots of ways to make a family.” Ernest merely grumbles in reply and looks away. “And- I know it really doesn't seem that way sometimes, but there's a lot more to relationships than the physical bits. They're important to some people, but not everyone, and not in the same way.”

Ernest stays resolutely silent, staring at a fraying movie poster on the wall. “You will find someone who loves you, mijo. It might take time, but you'll find them.”

“Yeah, when I'm finally old enough to join Virgin4Virgin dot net.” Ernest only slightly resists his dad's chastising ruffle of his hair, glancing down at the box of condoms with moderate disgust. “Can you throw those out and we pretend this never happened?”

“I'll put them in the bathroom cupboard. I'm not saying you will, but if you ever did want to be with someone that way-” Hugo tucks the box in his pocket as Ernest's pained groan cuts him off. “Listen, this could have been much worse. Before I went to my first party, your Abuela made me sit at the dining room table and wouldn't let me leave until I correctly put a condom on a banana.”

“You're lying,” Ernest replies blankly, only for his eyes to bug out at Hugo's unfailing stare. “You're serious? Oh my god, that's- I can't believe Abuela is capable of such savagery.”

“You don't know the half of it,” Hugo chuckles darkly, then carefully touches Ernest's shoulder. “Hey, I'm really glad you told me. I won't tell Pop, that's your conversation to have with him.”

“Thanks,” Ernest glances down, frowning and fidgeting in place. “Can I like, go now? I promised Carmensita I'd help her set up for open mic night.”

Hugo smiles stiffly, moving out of his son's way. “Yeah, you can go now. Text me when you're there, alright?”

Ernest makes a non-committal noise and hurries down the stairs, drawing the attention of Duchess. Hugo shuts the bedroom door behind him with a small sigh.

***

Carmensita's dad comes with the most fringe benefits by far. Not only are they allowed 'backstage' provided they help out and don't cause trouble (Ernest never has, something about how calm Mat is kinda intimidates him to be honest, it's the ones with the longest fuses that you have to watch out for), they get to enjoy the whole show for free and eat/drink anything leftover at the end of the night. Even if some of the acts are a little weird, it's still way cooler than sitting around watching TV.

“Hugo knows he's picking you up, right?” Lucien asks over the roof of his secondhand car, keys in his hand. “I've got plans after.”

Ernest grins wide. “Man, don't ask him out if you can't even say his name right.”

Lucien somewhat-gently shoves him as they cross the small parking lot. “Hey, have you ever heard about shut the hell up?”

He disappears into the crowd and Ernest soon finds Carmensita. He's been spending way more time with her lately. Girls aren't gross about sex like all his guy friends are now, making “that's what she said” jokes literally every five seconds. She's also one of the last vestiges of sanity in his grade, as off-put by the constant dating drama as he is. They sit in the back kitchen, chatting with the younger, more anxious performers and talking about 'Hamilton' between sets.

“I'm pretty sure I'm gonna listen to the cast album once a week for the rest of my life,” she says, cheek full of Right Said Banana Bread, or whatever it's called this week. “And I'm totally okay with that.”

“Oh, once a week minimum,” Ernest nods eagerly, leaning out to watch some college kid plunk away on an acoustic guitar. Bo-ring. “I would straight up sell my soul to write that good. Like, find me one lyric that doesn't land. One, I dare you.”

“It doesn't exist,” she concurs, picking a crumb out of her front braces. “Oh! You'll never guess who's finally putting out a new album!”

“Who?”

And on and on it goes. Even though the linoleum hurts his butt, chilling with Carmensita is his favourite part of the week. No fighting, no bullshit, just goofs and talking about whatever. She's basically the funniest person he knows, doing an impression of Damien that has him choking on his own spit. It makes him forget everything else. Well, almost.

Once everyone files out, they pick up their brooms and try to clean up quickly while Mat counts the money. He heads into the back to put a bank bag together and leaves them jamming to the music still playing over the speakers.

Ernest stops polishing the counter to the beat, his curiosity getting the best of him. “Hey, 'Sita?”

Carmensita glances up, still doing something between the mashed potato and the tootsie roll while sweeping, not in the least caring about the backlit glass storefront behind her. He wishes he were that cool. “Yeah?”

“Do you think asexuality's like, a thing?”

“Oh yeah, sure,” Carmensita replies, knocking a couple muffin wrappers from beneath a table like she's going for the slapshot. “Why?”

“Eh, no reason.” Ernest shrugs and keep polishing. “Just seems kinda weird to me, is all?”

“Not really though,” Carmensita pushes her pink glasses back up, tucking the broom under her arm to gesture. “It's like that thing in that Bruce Willis superhero movie. If there's someone at one end of the spectrum, there's gotta be someone else at the other end, plus all the people in the middle, right?”

Ernest makes a considering noise, pitching his scrubber into the sink. “Yeah, you're right.”

Mat returns and they lock up, Hugo's car humming in the empty street. Ernest fist-bumps Carmensita as she heads off with her dad. “We're still on for the fair next Saturday right? I'm retaking my skee ball title this year!”

“In your dreams,” she sticks her tongue out and waves to him. “Don't get grounded, okay?”

“I won't!” Ernest grins, turning and shuffling towards the hopefully not-awkward, air-conditioned comfort of his dad's car.

[sodadungeon2gold]

Soda Dungeon 2 Cheats

Soda Dungeon 2 Guide

Soda Dungeon 2 manual has been released. Additionally, whilst he reaches segment 2, you simplest need to worry about aoe recovery after that. Always placed enemy: has essence -> ransack on the pinnacle of your script. Literally doubles your essence income. Also, use the hunt characteristic. Some bosses gets you caught, so seek and see what others did to kill them. Lots of information about boss techniques, birthday celebration comp, scripts, etc all inside the seek feature. I might want to know more about crew compositions for one-of-a-kind conditions (eg. Visit settings > manage programs > choose app > permissions > furnish permission - open "data" forder and locate your packpage name recreation you need to kepp account (example: com.tencent.ig). 4. back to file supervisor, unrename your packpage you renamed in step 2 ( examination : "com.tencent.ig.keepdata" -> rename it to "com.tencent.ig"). Soda Dungeon 2 is a sequel to a fab position-gambling undertaking with an vintage-college performance, a a laugh function, lots of humor and thrilling gameplay. The principle man or woman still has a tavern in which they put together and serve a fantastic drink that captured the hearts and flavor buds of all brave warriors combating evil. With its near-perfect development system and bite-sized gameplay, no longer to mention likely the maximum fair free to play fee model we would ever seen, soda dungeon changed into a perfect little slice of fun for cellular and we loved it in our unique evaluate from lower back while it released. There were some of pleasant content updates to the game on the grounds that then too, but what fanatics simply had been wanting to recognise is when can we ultimately get our arms on Soda Dungeon 2? Naturally, this antagonist of this tale has locked away all manners of riches, loot, and different sweets deep in the bowels of his citadel. Of route, getting a preserve all this treasure could be no clean feat when you consider that it's miles guarded with the aid of a by no means-ending collection of monsters, undead soldiers, and traps. Players will lease different soda-addicted squaddies that hold out inside the tavern and ship them out to have a tendency to some missions, even whilst they're afk. Then, the loot that changed into garnered can then be used to accumulate a custom; town, taverna, and extra effective individuals for the birthday party. The overall tale in soda dungeon 1 become fairly ordinary, you may shuffle the bosses in any order and it would not honestly have an effect on the end result. Soda Dungeon 2 has at least a touch thread of consistency, a tiny bit of person development. You have interaction with the townspeople a bit greater, sometimes the bosses send you letters in the mail, and many others. Don't set your expectancies too excessive, soda dungeon changed into by no means intended to have a deep tale. However..! I personally enjoy the little world we made for the brand new recreation greater than the original. In case you are transferring from one platform to another (ios to steam as an instance), you want to get a one time switch code on the first device and then load it on some other. If you are moving between specific gadgets at the equal platform it is better to use google force (for android gadgets) or sd server alternative. To begin with, make certain you've got enough hp to continue to exist. If you are demise you would possibly want to degree your hp relic a touch bit extra. Soda dungeon is a turn-based totally dungeon crawler where you recruit a team of adventurers to raid dungeons on your behalf. With the loot they locate you will increase your metropolis, attract higher heroes, and find out just how deep the dungeon-hole goes. Experiment with self assurance - blend and match training, try out masses of gear, and ship them off to combat. But fear now not, all of us comes domestic secure with all your tough-earned loot. Defeat is simply part of the sport 🙂 loose and truthful - everything may be earned with in-game forex. You need to do your high-quality to take gain of this selection most of the time so that you can pass even similarly to gather more cash, unencumber greater objects, and take gain of the random chests and deform gates you come across. • occasionally it is really worth beginning your party from the first actual ground of a dungeon a couple of times for the duration of a whole play consultation - that way, you can farm an entire bunch of greater cash on your everlasting tavern upgrades before you head off to the subsequent size. And maximum of all, preserve that ad Gold enhance option on at all times. • as you whole various dungeon runs, you will rack up the cash needed to make some important purchases back at your own home base. You can additionally accumulate cash just via gathering them from your free refill. As some distance as what enhancements you should prioritize over others, you need to make sure you purchase the following objects earlier than you head into the next measurement - a couple of stools, a couple of tables, the bed, and a few kitchens. Soda Dungeon 2 - sequel to the a success rpg on fable subject matters, in which the participant will once again manage the moves of the mercenary characters sitting within the tavern. Within the story the lord of darkness seized all valuable artifacts and for that reason carry the arena to the threshold of destruction. To defeat him you need to lease brave heroes, who will visit risky campaigns. At that time, because the characters will fight monsters and earn treasure and loot, the gamer has to control its institution. This time round, you could assume large, trickier bosses than ever before, even though the middle motion is said to stay very approachable. "the thing i am maximum excited (and additionally anxious) for is seeing the reaction from lovers of the first sport," said shawn tanner, lead programmer on Soda Dungeon 2. "gameplay is prime, and i understand if the returning players approve then we did it proper." The ones looking for a few accurate-humoured dungeon crawling action will discover Soda Dungeon 2 available for download now as a free-to-play game from over at the app save, google play, and steam. The use of this selection primarily acts as a sport reset that places all your soda purchases/warrior unlocks again to its initial nation. • earlier than you head off to the following size, pour all your leftover coins into trying to buy new tavern enhancements when you consider that they stick round during every new dimension run. You may need to move into a new dimension with one essential tavern upgrade or before you take on the challenge of a new dimension's dungeon. Keep in mind that enemies get even stronger after every 100 floors are completed within a new dimension.

[monkeyandelf]

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Clear the Rack, YETI Cooler, Kindle Ebooks, and More

Kindle ebooks, Remington’s super-popular self-haircut tool, and your last chance to save during Clear the Rack lead off Sunday’s best deals from around the web.

Bookmark Kinja Deals and follow us on Twitter to never miss a deal.

Top Tech Deals

It’s not hard to find good deals on VPN subscriptions, but our readers’ favorite service, Private Internet Access, is notable for hardly ever running sales. This is the holiday shopping season though, so for a limited time, you can sign up for two years of the service for just $60, down from its usual $70. That’s just $2.50 per month to protect your browsing data, get around video geoblocks, circumvent proxy filters, and more.

Why Is Everyone Talking About VPNs?

Yesterday, the House of Representatives approved a measure that killed an upcoming FCC ruling that…

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The Best VPN Service Is Private Internet Access

VPNs are a hot topic these days, and our readers made it abundantly clear that Private Internet…

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If you use a desktop computer, a good UPS battery backup will keep it running without any interruption in the event of a power outage, which means you won’t lose any unsaved work. But even if you’re a laptop user, this could still run lamps, your router and modem, or any other low-draw devices until the power comes back on. This particular model even includes some USB ports for charging your mobile devices.

$31

From amazon

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You may not think you need one of these portable jump starters, and at this very moment, you probably don’t. But there will come a time where you’re late for an appointment or stuck in the middle of nowhere, and waiting around for a good samaritan to come jump your battery just isn’t a viable option.

This model from iClever puts out a whopping 600A, which is far more than most similar products, and enough to start just about any car.

$50

From amazonUse code BBQBBQ22

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With 25W of power, this $27 Bluetooth speaker packs more of a punch than most of its peers, and even sprays that sound in 360 degrees, making it perfect for parties. Just use code 6PRIGVGE at checkout to save $12.

$27

From amazonUse code 6PRIGVGE

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If you love inky blacks and vibrant colors—and who doesn’t?—this 2017 OLED LG TV is down to $1500 today on MassDrop, or $2300 for 65″, about $200 and $400 less than Amazon, respectively.

As you’d expect from any high-end TV these days, that gets you a 4K panel and Dolby Vision HDR, but OLED technology means the blacks will be far richer, and the colors more vibrant than any LCD-based screen you can buy. It’ll still cost you, but your eyes will tell you it was worth it.

Hands On: I Just Fell In Love With LG’s Flexible 4K OLED TVs

The other night we saw a bunch of Samsung’s curved 4K TVs, including a gigantic one that could …

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Which Is a Better TV Screen, LCD or OLED?

It’s an age-old question, like cats or dogs, Kirk or Picard, PlayStation or Xbox? All tough…

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It lacks an integrated subwoofer, let alone a dedicated one, so this AmazonBasics sound bar wouldn’t be ideal for your main home theater, but it would be a solid upgrade over, say, your bedroom TV’s built-in speakers.

$60

From amazon

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If only the best will do, the brand new GoPro HERO6 is $100 off on Amazon for the first time ever today. Even during Black Friday, the only real deals we saw were on the previous generation models.

GoPro’s Hero6 Is Still the King of Action Cameras

GoPro has been the leader on action cameras from the very beginning, and its brand has attained a…

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$400

From amazon

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Anker’s original SoundBuds are your favorite affordable wireless earbuds, but the newer SoundBuds Tag just got their biggest discount ever. $18 is $12 less than usual, and the best price we’ve ever seen.

Your Pick For Best Cheap Bluetooth Earbuds: Anker SoundBuds

Anker’s SoundBuds blew away the competition to take the title of your favorite cheap Bluetooth…

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The Tags basically appear to be a slightly tweaked version of the SoundBuds Sport, boasting a redesigned remote and better ear tips. Like the Sports though, they’ll still turn off when you connect the two magnetic earpieces together, and turn back on once you pull them apart. Smart.

$18

From amazonUse code ANKX3232

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If you’ve been curious to try computer glasses, but were scared off by the sky-high price of Gunnars, Velocifire will sell you a set for $17 today with promo code 7DFJQSKQ If you aren’t familiar, the appeal of these things is that they block out the blue light that emanates from the screens we stare at all day, which can cause eyestrain, headaches, and even insomnia.

$17

From amazonUse code 7DFJQSKQ

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This Belkin surge protector is one of our readers’ favorites, and Prime members can save 20% on it today, bringing it down to $16. If you haven’t replaced your main home theater or home office surge protector I several years, it might be time.

$16

From amazon

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These Are The Best Home Theater Surge Protectors

After some charged debate in this week’s nomination round, three models surged past the competition …

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Why You Should Periodically Replace Your Surge Protectors

A decent surge protector is an important piece of equipment in any office or entertainment center. …

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Top Home Deals

Standing desks are great for you, but working standing on a balance board while you work is even better. This one from Gaiam is designed specifically for standing desks, and it’s never been cheaper.

$40

From amazon

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With a locking lid, this 6-quart Crock-Pot is ultra-portable and can serve up to 7 people, all for $39. You can even program it start cooking while you’re away at work so you can come home to a warm meal.

$39

From amazon

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We’ve all had to throw away leftovers or cuts of meat and cheese that spent a little too much time in the fridge or freezer, but vacuum sealing your foods can keep them safe from freezer burn pretty much indefinitely, and dramatically extend their shelf life everywhere else.

It sounds like an expensive proposition, but today only, Amazon’s selling the well-reviewed FoodSaver Starter Kit for just $30, complete with everything you need to get started. That’s the best price ever by over $15, and the first time it’s been under $50 on Amazon since 2012.

Of course, you can use this to store meats in the freezer for a long time, but it can also keep cheese from molding, lettuce from wilting, or cookies from going stale, just to name a few examples. Think about how much food you throw away, and you’ll get a sense of just how quickly this purchase could pay for itself.

$30

From amazon

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Woot has run a few deals over the last few months on YETI soft-sided coolers, but today, you can get a very rare deal on the rugged Roadie 20 hard-sided cooler. This thing can keep ice frozen for days on end, even once it finally gets warm outside again. Accounting for Woot’s mandatory $5 shipping fee, this is still $55 cheaper than Amazon.

I didn’t give much thought to my dish rack until I went to my mom’s house and she had this simplehuman beauty. It’s a small thing, but it looks so much nicer than the flimsy $15 ones you can buy at the grocery store and it is incredibly functional.

This product was missing from simplehuman’s Black Friday sale and discounts on anything related to this brand are rare, so today is the day to get this normally-$80 dish rack for $62.

$62

From amazon

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Is bringing your lunch to work more often part of your New Year’s resolution? Pick up this 9-liter lunch box for just $15 when you enter code MAMWWB9S at checkout.

$15

From amazonUse code MAMWWB9S

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If you’ve been putting off replacing your wiper blades for far too long, Amazon’s throwing in a $5 credit when you purchase any two Rain-X Latitude blades, from now until the New Year. Just note that the credit is towards your next Amazon purchase, it’s not a discount on the blades themselves. You’ll also need to be sure both of the blades you buy are shipped and sold by Amazon directly, not a third party.

Electric kettles are hands-down the most efficient way to boil water. This normally-$40 Aicok electric kettle is selling for $29 today with code PRYSU8YB. It has 6 different temperature settings for various beverages from green tea to hot cocoa and noodles.

$29

From amazonUse code PRYSU8YB

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Extra bedding takes up way too much room. Pack it all up in this canvas underbed storage bag, just $12 with code FGQO3GZC and when you clip the $2 off coupon.

$12

From amazonUse code FGQO3GZC

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Top Lifestyle Deals

Note: This deal ends on January 1, so get your orders in now.

Yes, it’s already happening again. Nordstrom Rack has brought back their Clear the Rack sale and it’s full (and I mean FULL) of really incredible deals. Designer clothing, brands you’ve never heard of, everything in clearance an extra 25% off. This lasts through Sunday, so you have a good amount of time to pick up some discounts.

If you’re enough of a daredevil to give yourself a haircut, Remington’s Shortcut Pro makes the process as simple as possible.

For an all-time low $28 (after clipping the $10 coupon), the Shortcut Pro can run for 40 minutes on its built-in lithium-ion battery, and includes nine different length combs to customize your look. And unlike most electric trimmers, it’s shaped like a puck, rather than a wand, which makes it much easier to maneuver around the back of your own head. Just note that you won’t see the $10 discount until checkout.

$28

From amazon

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I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but for most of the country, it’s cold outside. Like, way too cold. Luckily, Uniqlo’s running another sale on its awesome HeatTech gear for both men and women.

Eddie Bauer makes great stuff all year ‘round, but their wares really shine in the winter, and you can stock up on coats, pants, boots, and pretty much everything else from their semi-annual sale, including a rare deal on the iconic Downlight Stormdown jacket for men and women, which can keep you warm in temperatures well below zero.

I’m pretty sure I could spend every day of the next three months in long johns, and with this 30% off Amazon coupon, I could probably afford to. Choose from multiple sizes and colors, all for about $8 at checkout.

The Philips Norelco Multigroom is actually a ton of shaving tools in one: A beard trimmer, a hair cutter, and a body groomer. $20 gets you the trimmer, 13 length combs, a precision trimming attachment, a nose hair trimmer, a wide hair-cutting blade, and more. Oh, and the whole thing runs for up to three hours on a charge, so you won’t have to travel with the charger.

$20

From amazon

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Nordstrom has three large sales each year: The Anniversary Sale and two Half-Yearly Sales. Well, this week marks the end of the second half of the year, so Nordstrom is taking up to 50% off a boatload of styles. It’ll take time to look through all the stuff, so maybe pencil it in as a meeting at work or pretend you’re in the bathroom and avoid your family or something.

When it comes to having a corner on the market, nothing really compares to Nike. And right now, take an extra 25% off their sale styles for both men and women, no code needed, as post-holdiday deal. Everything you could need for a good workout wardrobe is included, from apparel, to sneakers, to gear.

Note: If you don’t see the discount, try using promo code WINTER25, which is how this deal was supposed to work.

Top Media Deals

Amazon hasn’t been shy about offering up discounted Kindle books over the past week, but I suspect that the New Year will see a significant slowdown in sales, back to a more typical ~once per week schedule. Today’s sale has some great options though, a few of which we highlighted below. But be sure to head over to Amazon to see the full list.

$4

From amazon

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$3

From amazon

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$4

From amazon

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$2

From amazon

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Monty Python and the Holy Grail is the greatest work in the history of filmmaking that included a killer rabbit, and its 40th anniversary Blu-ray is just $5 today as an Add-On item on Amazon. I’m not sure if they’ll string it between a couple of swallows to get it to you faster, but it should arrive before Christmas if you have Prime, in any event.

$5

From amazon

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Amazon’s waving its discount wand on the Harry Potter franchise, with all eight Hogwarts-centric films on sale for just $7 digitally.

Top Gaming Deals

If you’re lucky enough to have gotten your hands on the SNES Classic, this $17 case makes it easy to bring to a friend’s house for a night of Mario Kart.

$17

From amazon

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It’s not as advanced as a Samsung Gear VR or Oculus Rift, but if you have a smartphone and $17, you can experience VR with this View-Master Deluxe VR starter set. The View-Master is actually just a Google Cardboard-compatible VR headset, except, you know, it’s not made of cardboard, even if it’s priced like it could be.

$17

From amazon

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If you missed out on all of the PS4 Pro deals around Black Friday, you have another chance to save $50 on the console today on eBay. Just note that it doesn’t come with any bundled games.

Should You Buy A PS4 Pro?

Short version: The new PS4 Pro is a more powerful version of an already good console. We like the…

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